Total-proof device for adding mechanism.



H. N. McKAY.

TOTAL PROOF DEVICE FOR ADDING MECHANISM. APPLiCATlON FILED MAR I0. 1915. RENEWED DEC. 30.1915.

1 ,274, 729 Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

I- |I J LL JI WITNESSES:

@IiiFiQlil.

HENRY N. MOKAY, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WAHL COMPANY, OF VVILMINGLON, DELAW'ABE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TOTAL-PROOF DEVICE FOR ADDING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Application filed March 10, 1915, Serial No. 13,332. Renewed December 30, 1916. Serial No. 139,852.

To (all 'ZKZLOHL it may 0071067 71.

Be it known that I, HENRY N. MoKAY, a citizen of the Jnited States, residing at Oakla d, in the county of Alameda and State of rnia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Total-Proof Devices for Adding Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

'This invention relates to a total proof device for use on typewriting machines equipped with adding mechanism, or equipped with adding and subtracting mechanism.

The object of this device is to cause the carriage of the typewriting machine to be .,l. between spaces, in which position the niuncral keys are not operable, whenever an incorrect key is struck when copying a total shown in the totalizer, and further to cause the same arrest of the carriage and consequent inoperable condition of the numeral keys if a certain lever called the total proof lever be not returned to its correct position before commencing a new ad dition;

The advantages of this device are, first, that it enforces by mechanical means an absolute accuracy in the transcription of totals which has hitherto been dependent on the carefulness of the operator, who could copy any total incorrectly and then pass on to the next addition without noting the error; seconf that in case the operator neglects to return the total proof lever to its correct position for adding work, the device will prevent further operation until the mistake is corrected. Thus, in machines that subtract, it prevents the operator from subtracting; amounts under the impression that they are being added, a very common misoperatic-ii. By obviating these possibilities of error. the device makes the adding, or adding and subtracting typewriter far more accurate than before.

The invention consists, generically, of means operable by the numeral keys of the machine and operative upon the computing mechanism to prevent the lateral change of position of the one with relation to the other, in event of an erroneous operation of the numeral keys of the machine during the process of transcribing the total, and also in event of the omission of the resetting operation of the control or subtract lever when this is involved.

The invention consists of the parts and the combination and construction of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a front elevation of a fragment of a typewriting computingmachine with the invention applied, and showing a totalizer attached to the carriage.

Fig. 2 is a plan view.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the setting levers.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the looking dog and its immediately related parts.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of the dog and the transmission gears.

Fig. 6 is a detail face and sectional view of the gears.

In Fig. l, 2 represents a typewriter digit key lever, the key button 3 being indicated. in dotted lines, and of which levers the usual complement is provided but not here shown. The key lever 2 is connected by a link -i to and for operating a mechanism indicated generally at 5 and which has for its prime function the rotation of a master pinion (3; each digit key being effective through said mechanism to turn the pinion a predetermined degree for the rotation of transmission gears 7 of a computing device indicated generally at S. The computer 8 is here shown as adjustably attached to a portion 9 of a typewriting machine carriage.

Operation of any of the digit keys serves to actuate the transmitting 1nccl1anism and a gear 7 in mesh with the master wheel 6, so that the corresponding value will be indicated at the computer by its numeral wheels 10.

Assuming that a column has been written and totalizcd by the machine and the operator wishes to transcribe the total and at the same time clear the computer, then, in the type of machine here shown, he, or she. will depress a shift or subtract lever 11 of the mechanism 5 and which simply changes the direction of rotation of the master Wheel 6. Thereupon, as the digit keys are depressed the master wheel resets the numeral whcels 1-9 to zero, provided the proper keys are struck.

It is to check up and make the correct key operation compulsory during transcription of totals that I have devised my present in vention.

The device consists first, of a blocking dog 12 located in position, so as to project into the normal tooth notches of any of the transmission gear wheels 7 of the computing totalizer 8, the object of which dog is to prevent the passage across it of any totalizer notch of less than a given capacity; second, of totalizer transmission gear wheels 7 so cut that certain notches 7 shall be wide and deep enough to permit passage of the blocking dog,,and all other notches shall be too small to permit its passage, the object of which arrangement is to allow the blocking dog to pass only when certain predetermined numerals are shown in the number wheels of the totalizer; and third, of a means to control the blocking dog so as to release it to an operative position and with draw it to an inoperative position, as required.

The blocking dog 12 is mounted on a pivot 13, and provided with a spring 14, the;

tendency of which is to keep the dog extended in operative position. The blocking dog is located in a sequent position with reference to the master or actuator wheel 6 of the adding or subtracting mechanism, so that it must enter agiven gear wheel 7 or be passed by a given gear wheel 7, as soon as that gear wheel has passed or been passed by the actuator wheel. The dog is located at a distance of less than a typewriter space from the actuator wheel in order that if the passing notch 7 is too small to clear the dog 12, the movement of the carriage of the typewriter will be arrested before it has moved a full space, thus stopping the carriage between two normal points of rest, and causing the numeral keys of the typewriter to be locked against operation through the regular mechanism provided for that purpose in such machines.

The blocking dog 12 is connected with the actuating mechanism 5 of the adding or subtracting attachment or mechanism by means of an arm 15 and a cam 16, in such a manner as to cause the dog, when in operative position, to be depressed by each stroke of a numeral key, when adding or subtracting, a suliicient distance to disengage the dog completely from the totalizer gears. and in such a manner also as to cause the dog to be re leased to resume its operative position after the master wheel of the actuator has ceased ,to move, and before the typewriter carriage the presence of the dog in any gear wheel from obstructing the normal turning of the gear.

The blocking dog is beveled at 12, Fig. 6, in such a manner as to be self-depressmg when the totalizer passes or is passed in re turning the typewriter carriage, and so permit passage without obstruction regardless of the position of the gear wheel notches.

The specially cut totalizer gear wheels 7 which engage with the master wheel 6 of the adding mechanism and with the blocking dog 12, are cut in the following manner for all. machines with adding and subtracting mechanism which clear or bring the totalizer 8 back to Zero, when a total is copied, by direct subtraction.

(A)v All notches 7 in the transmission gear wheels 7 which shall be in line with the blocking dog 12 at the same time that any zero is shown in the corresponding number wheels 10 of the totalizer 8 are cut deeper or wider than the usual or standard tooth notches of the gears, to a sufficient extent to permit the passage of the dog, at all times.

(B) All notches which shall be in line with the blocking dog 12 at the same time that any figure nine is shown in the corresponding number wheels of the totalizer are cut obliquely or inclined on the face 7 so as to. be of their original depth and width on the side first reached by or reaching the blocking dog, Fig. 6; the notches increasing in depth or width or both until, on the opposite side of the gear wheel, they reach the capacity of the full sized escapement, or zero notches described above.

For adding typewriters that clear the totalizer in copying a total by means of the process of complementary addition or indirect subtraction, the totalizer gear wheels which engage the master wheel and the blocking dog are specially cut or notched as follows, to-wit:

(C) All notches which shall be in line with the blocking dog at the same time that any figure nine is shown in the corresponding number wheels of the totalizer are cut deep or wide enough to permit free passage of the dog,'at all times.

1) All notches which Shall be in line,

with the blocking dog at the same time that any zero is shown in the corresponding number wheels of the totalizer are cut obliquely or inclined in the manner described under (B) above, withthe exception of the last gear wheel reached by or reaching the actuator wheel, in which last wheel any notches which shall be in line with the dog when a zero is shown in the corresponding number wheel are cut to pen mit free passage of the dog at all times.

In either type of machine, when any totalizer gear wheel 7 is a double gear, as in Fig. 5, having a left-hand gear wheel to occupy a decimal point or comma space and act as a carry-over gear, all notches 7 in the carry-over gear, which occupies the decimal point or comma space are cut to a capacity to permit the free passage of the blocking dog at all times, since no arrest of the carriage is desired at such points. i

The control mechanism for rendering the blocking dog inoperative is shown as consisting of a plunger rod17 mounted on the frame of the typewriter or actuator mechanism, beveled at 18 on the end nearest the dog and having a pin 19 at the oppositeend engaging a slotted cam lever 20, which is equipped with a spring 21 tending to main tain said lever at rest position. The plunger rod is so located, and the slot in the cam so constructed, that when the cam lever, here called the total proof lever is at rest or upper position, the beveled end of the rod is engaged with the blocking dog 12, retaining it in a depressed, inoperative position, l i a. lVhen the total proof or cam lever depressed, it withdraws the end 18 of the plunger rod from engagement with the blocking dog, permitting the dog to be tipped up by its spring to its operative po sition.

The total proof lever is superimposed on the regular subtract lever 11 of the machine when there is one, and is designed to be caught when depressed, under the latch 11 of the subtract lever or under a latch of its own, until subsequently released.

The operation of the above described device on an adding and subtracting typewriter is as follows:

lVhen an addition has been completed and it is desired to copy the total shown in the totalizer, the operator depresses the total proof lever 20, which carries down the subtract lever 11 of the machine, and simultaneously releases into operative position the blocking dog 12, which then extends into position to engage with the tota lizer gear wheel tooth notches. The operator then tabulatcs, or moves the typewriter carriage forward until the actuator wheel is in the first space in the totalizer the number wheel of which is occupied by a numeral other than zero. The blocking dog 12 permits this forward movement as far as the first space so occupied, because the gear notches 7 in line with it in any precedent spaces occupied by Zeros are cut to permit its free passage. When the actuator wheel 6 comes to rest in the first wheel occupied by a numeral other than Zero, the dog 12 is in a sequent position in the previous wheelpassed, and is less than a full space from the actuator wheel.

The operator then strikes the numeral key 2 of the typewriter, corresponding to the initial figure of the total to be copied. If the correct key is struck, the actuator wheel turning in the reverse or subtract direction, subtracts the figures shown in that number wheel 10 of the totalizer, bringing the num ler wheel back exactly to Zero, and thereby the liilocking dog of a fore bringing a Zero notch 7 or large capacity notch, opposite the blocking dog, and as the carriage released to move forward to its next operating space there is no obstruction of its movement by the dog. If the wrong typewri er numeral key struck. be it greater or less than the figure shown previously in the corresponding numeral wheel f the totalizer, the number wheel will not be brought to zero and one of the small capacity notches will be in line witn the blocking dog. Therefore as the carriage of the typewriter moves forward toward its next operating space, the entry of the blocking dog into the gear wheel just operated is impossible because of the small notch, the do catches on and blocks the passage of the 7, the carriage is arrested between opera g spaces, and the numeral keys of the type-- writer are rendered inoperable, by the 1e, 'H- lar locking system of the typewriter addi machine. The operator informed of the error on attempting to dep es the next numeral key in the effort to complete the transcription of the total. It is then nect sary to return the carriage to the previous space in which the error was made, and correct the error, and when a zero is correctly shown in that number wheel the transcription may be continued.

l'V hen the numeral key struck in error is greater than the figure shown in l e corresponding number wheel, the rest t is an over-subtraction, in which case all preceding number wheels of the totalizcr are occu i by nines. llhen' this occurs the blocking dog, (which was depressed during the movement of the actuator wheel as previously described) when it rises, enters the obliquely cut notches 1 i ch are in line with the dog whenever a nine Wown in a number l. and blocks against the small capacity notch in the wheel just inisopcratesl in The oblique cutting these nine notches lCTi-JS the side of the notrh first reaching or reached 720 small enough to obstruct the passage of the (flog when :i i ine is left in a number wheel by error.

If the operator neglects to release the total proof lever and with it the subtract lever, before proceeding with the next addition, the first numeral key struck other than zero, will bring a numeral into the number wheel corresponding and a small capacity notch 7 in line with the blocking dog 12, thereby causing the carriage to be arrested between operating spaces, and so lock the numeral keys of the typewriter against further operation until the above mentioned levers are restored to the correct position for addition.

When the typewriter adding machine on which this device is used is a machine which clears or brings the totalizer back to zero by the process known as complementary addition, the operation of the device is similar in principle to the above, save that since this method of clearing, correctly performed, requires that all number wheels of the totalizer be brought to nines except the last, which must be brought to ten, thus clearing the preceding nines to zero and so clearing the totalizer, the notches are so arranged that when this order is exactly followed there is no obstruction and no lock, but that when an error is made and this order is not followed, there shall be an arrest of-the carriage and consequent look similar to that described above, notifying the operator of the mistake. Since in these machines when too small a numeral is struck, or too large a complement added in any wheel, all previousv number wheels are brought to zeros in place of nines, the obliquely cut notches are therefore located to come in line with the lock dog when zeros are shown in the number wheels, for the same purpose, and-with the same general result as described above for oblique notches.

The same arrest of carriage, locking, and consequent notification of error are produced in this type of machine when it is neglected to return the total proof lever to the correct position for addition as are described above for the other type of machine, and in the same general manner.

A third advantage-of the device is that it prevents tabulating or moving the typewriter carrlage too far forward 1nto a totalizer when a total is to be copled, in which event the transcription would commence at a wrong point.

This result is produced because the block-" i11 do cannot ass an ear wheel the b C O 7 number wheel of which is occupied by a figure other than zero. The effort to make itdo so will cause the arrest of carriage, locking of keys, andconsequent notification of error described above;

by the total proof lever whereby the carriage is arrested between spaces whenever an incorrect key is struck when copying a total shown in the totalizer.

2. A total proof attachment for adding typewriters which includes in combination the typewriter carriage, numeral keys, a totalizer, a total proof lever, means whereby the carriage is arrested between spaces whenever an incorrect key is struck when copying a total shown in the totalizer, and means to bring the numeral keys to inoperative position in case the total proof lever is not returned to its correct posit-ion before commencing a new addition.

3. The combination in a calculating attachment for typewriters, with the typewriter numeral keys and its carriage, of a calculator operable by said keys, and means operable by any of said'keys for arresting the carriage of the typewriter in the event of an operation of a wrong key when copying a total shown in the calculator.

4c. The combination in calculating attachments for typewriting machines, of a typewriter, a computer operable by the numeral keys of the typewriter, and a means operative by the depression of a wrong key to block the typewriter carriage between spaces for proving the proper transcription of a to- This invention is adapted to operate on, the proper transcription of the total from or be used with any typewriter adding machine and any typewriter adding and sub tracting machine which operates by means of a stationary actuating mechanism at tached to or located on the frame of the machine, and a moving totalizer attached to or connected with the carriage of the machine; or on any above mentioned machine which operates by means of a stationary totalizer attached to or built on the frame of the machine, and a moving actuating mechanism attached to or connected with the carriage of the machine. 7 c w Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat? ent isv 1. A total proof attachment for adding typewriters which includes in combination the typewriter carriage, numeral keys, a totali'zer operable by the keys, a total proof lever, and means connected to and operable the computing mechanism, and including a carriage block.

7. 'The combination in a computing typewriting machine, with the numeral keys and carriage thereof, of a computing mechanism movable with the carriage, an actuator therefor operable by the keysyand means operative by the keys for proving the proper transcription of the total from the computing mechanism, said means comprising a dog operable by the depression of a wrong key to block the movement of the carriage and a cooperative part of the computing mechamsm.

8. The combination in a computing typewriting'machine, with the numeral keys and the carriage thereof, of a computingmechanism and an actuator therefor, controlled and operable by the keys, and a device, also operative by the keys, operative, upon the operation of a wrong numeral key during transcription, to arrest the automatic lateral shift of the carriage and to permit the manual return thereof.

9. The combination in a computing typewriting machine, with the numeral keys and the carriage thereof, of a computing mechanism and an actuator therefor, controlled and operable by the keys, and a device, also operative by the keys, operative upon a mis operation 01' a numeral key during transcription, to arrest the automatic lateral shift of the carriage and to permit the manual return thereof, said actuator including a subtract lever movable to a predetermined position for clearing a total from the computing mechanism duringtranscription, said device operative to prevent the automatic shift of the carriage during a computation unless said lever has been returned from the subtracting position.

10. In a computing typewriter, the combination of the numeral keys and the carriage, a computingmechanism capable of indicating a result of a computation, and means operative by the keys to arrest the carriage between spaces, in which position the numeralkeys are inoperable, whenever a wrong key, is struck during transcription of the total,

11. The combination in a computing typewriter, with the numeral keys, the carriage, and a totalizer with transmission gears, of a means operable by said keys and cooperable with said gears to arrest the advance shift of the carriage in event of operation of a wrong numeral key.

12. The combination in a computing typewriter, with the numeral keys, the carriage, and a totalizer, with transmission gears, of a means operable by said keys and cooperable with said gears to arrest thev advance shiftof the carriage in event of erroneous operation of a numeral key, and operative to allow the carriage to shift with the correct operation of the said keys, said gears being designed to pass said means when in predetermined relation thereto.

1 The combination in calculating attachments for typewriting machines, of a typewriter, a. computer operable by the numeral keys of the typewriter, and means operable in event of an operation of a wrong numeral key to arrest the advance shift of the typewriter carriage.

1%. In a combined typewritii'ig and computing machine, the combniation with the typewriter carriage, a totalizer on the carriage, and numeral keys thereof, said totalizer including gears raving certain notches of greater .ize than the remaining notches, said larger notches being adapted to be positioned to permit the escapement of the carriage when a numeral key is correctly struck to insure the correct transcription of the total shown in the totalizer, and connections.

for operating said gears by the keys.

15. In a calculating machine, the combination of a decimal carriage, a set of numeral keys adapted to control the position of said decimal carriage, a computing device, me: is also controlled by said keys to enter numbers in said computing device, a zero determining device controlled by said computing device and means whose action is determined by said Zero determining device to control the sequence of operation of said numeral keys.

16. In a calculating machine, the combination of a decimal carriage, a set of numeral keys adapted to control the position of said decimal carriage, a computing device, means also controlled by said keys to enter numbers in said computing device, a zero determining device controlled by said computing device, means whose action is determined by said zero determining device to control the sequence of operation or said numeral keys and means to bring said last mentioned means into action at will.

17. In a calculating machine, the combination of a decimal carriage, a set of numeral keys adapted to control the position of said decimal carriage, a computing device, means also controlled by said keys to enter numbers therein, a zero determining device controlled by said computer and means whose action is determined by said zero determining device to block the motion of said decimal carriage unless the numeral keys are operated in a certain predetermined sequence.

18. In a calculating machine, the combination of a computing device, a set of keys operable on said computing device, means to indicate a certain sequence of operation of said keys and means to prevent the operation of said machine unless said keys are operated in the sequence indicated.

19.- In a calculating machine, the combination of a computing device, a set of numeral keys adapted to enter numbers therein, a decimal carriage controlled by said numeral keys to determine the place of operation of said keys on said computing device, means for indicatin a certain sequence of operation of said keys and means for locking said decimal carriage unless said keys are operated in the sequence indicated.

20. In a calculating machine, the combination of a computing device, a set of numeral keys adapted to'enter numbers therein, a decimal carriage controlled by said numeral keys to determine the place of operation of said keys on'said computing device, means in said computing device for indicating a certain sequence of operation of said keys and means for locking the operation of said decimal carriage unless said keys are operated. in the sequence indicated.

21. In a calculatin machine, the combination of a computing device, a set of keys operable on said computing device, means located in said-computing device for indicating a certain sequence of operation of said keys and means to prevent the operation of said machine unless said keys are operated in the sequence indicated.

22. The combination with the numeral wheels in the totalizer of a computing ma chine, of an intercepting member mounted in the path of travel of the totalizer, and members carried by the totalizer adapted to form an alinement to pass the intercepting member during certain positions of the numeral wheels and adapted to engage the intercepting member during other positions of the numeral Wheels.

28. The combination with the totalizer in a computing machine of an intercepting member mounted in the path of travel of the totalizer, and members carried by the totalizer adapted to form an aliuement to pass the intercepting member when the numeral wheels in the totalizer assume clear position and also adapted to engage the intercepting member when the numeral wheels in the totalizer do not assume clear position.

2a. In a computing machine, the combination with the actuating mechanism thereof and its master gear wheel, of a totalizer having a series of carrying gears coacting with the master gear, each carrying gear having one or more notches deeper than the remaining normal interdental spaces thereof, and a member mounted in the actuating mechanism and adapted to project therefrom a greater distance than the master gear teeth, said member designed to coact with the carrying gears at their normal interdental spaces, but never to coact with said gears at their deeper notches.

25. In a computing machine the combination of an actuating mechanism, a master gear, a member adapted to project from the actuating mechanism under certain conditions farther than the master gear teeth, a totalizer having a series of carrying gears coacting with the master gear and also coacttion of a decimal carriage, a totalizer, and a zero determining device adapted to be Gopies of this patent may be obtained for of said decimal carriage will be prevented unless said totalizer stands at zero.

27. In a calculating machine, the comblnation of a decimal carriage, a totalizer, a zero determining device adapted to be brought into cooperation with said totalizer, the arrangement of the totalizer and zero determining device being such that motion of the decimal carriage in a certain direction will be prevented unless said totalizer stands at zero.

28. In a calculating machine, the combination of a totalizer, including a set of computing Wheels, a decimal carriage to determine the decimal place of operation of said wheels, a zero determining device adapted to contact with said wheels scriatz'm, the arrangement of said Zero determining device and said wheels being such that progress of the decimal carriage in a certain direction is lprevented by the fact of any one of said lwheels not standing at zero.

' 29. Ina calculating machine, the combination of a totalizer, a set of totalizer wheels, a

brought into cooperation with said wheels seriatim. V

30. In a calculating machine, the combination of a totalizer, a set of computing wheels, a slot in each of said wheels, said slots determining the zero position of said wheels, a zero determining device ,and means to bring said zero determiningdevicein contact with said wheels seriatim.

31. In a calculating machine, the combination of a totalizer, a decimal carriage, a set of totalizer wheels, a slot in said totalizer wheels to thereby determine the zero position of said wheels, and a zero determining device adapted to engage said wheels, the arrangement being such that said decimal carriage brings said Zero determining device in contact with said wheels seriatz'm. V

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. r

' HENRY N. McKAY.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. HERRING,

W. HEALEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

